Hochul: New York's 2024 tribute to legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to air on PBS stations

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced New York state’s annual commemoration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be presented as a statewide broadcast event, “New York State Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” airing on PBS stations throughout New York beginning MLK weekend and streaming at empirestateplaza.ny.gov/nyking.

“The life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. calls us to service and social justice every day,” Hochul said. “This tribute to Dr. King is a reminder of that legacy, and an opportunity to recommit our state to the collective goals of his activism.”

A press release stated, “The one-hour tribute to Dr. King showcases people and organizations from across New York state that embody the principles of one of America’s most significant leaders for social justice, freedom and equality.”

Program times will vary by region, and viewers are encouraged to check their local TV listings.

The public is also invited to attend a special screening on Monday, Jan. 8, at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. Hosted by Spectrum News morning news anchor Tamani Wooley, this event is free and open to the public, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and the program screening beginning promptly at 7 p.m. Complimentary light refreshments will be served while supplies last. Parking in the visitor’s lot (V-Lot) will be free after 4 p.m.

NYS Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, “The 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Observance is an opportunity to honor his life and legacy, and the transformative impact he had on communities across New York state. In this year’s tribute, we are proud to feature highlight individuals and organizations, from Brooklyn to Buffalo, that best exemplify Dr. King’s teachings through their charitable programs and actions. I am proud to join Gov. Hochul in inviting New Yorkers to share in this celebration by viewing this program, and hope that it inspires all of us to continuously strive for a more just and equitable society with each of our daily actions.”

WMHT President and CEO Anthony V. Hayes said, “It is a privilege to join with communities across New York state via public television to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This program helps us reflect on the ‘arc of the moral universe’ as we pay tribute to Dr. King and his enduring message of nonviolence, hope, equality and justice.”

The press release noted, “Through the eyes of New Yorkers from Binghamton to Brooklyn, Albany to Ithaca, the program focuses on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and dreams with music, art and inspiring stories from New Yorkers who embody the principles that shaped his legacy.”  

Some of the show’s highlights include: 

√ A special Martin Luther King Jr. Day message from Hochul 

√ A feature on The Gathering for Justice, the social justice organization founded by the late Harry Belafonte

√ Commentary from SUNY Chancellor Dr. John B. King Jr. and students from Brooklyn and Schenectady

√ A profile on the work of photographer and civil rights leader Corky Lee

√ A performance by the Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers, an Ithaca group dedicated to preserving African American spirituals and the legacy of Dorothy Cotton, an unsung civil rights movement hero

√ A look at LevelUP, a workforce advancement initiative launched by the Brooklyn Public Library designed to help Black women advance professionally and build wealth

√ Inspirational performances from groups across the state, including SUNY Binghamton arts program students and the 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ensemble

In addition to viewing options on PBS stations statewide, “New York State Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” can be viewed at empirestateplaza.ny.gov/nyking beginning at 10 a.m. Jan. 16.

As a part of the celebration, the public is invited to view the New York State Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Fine Arts and Essay Exhibition, which features submissions from K-12 students throughout the state inspired by King’s “Six Principles of Nonviolence.” A virtual gallery of the students' work will be available at empirestateplaza.ny.gov/nyking from Jan. 15 to Feb. 29.

Also, New York state holds several service-related programs each year to continue King’s vision of community. These include the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. statewide food drive, which started Dec. 4 and will end Feb. 9; the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. statewide book drive, held Feb. 20 to April 19; and the 24th annual Dr. King Career Fair on Thursday, April 4.

For NY PBS member station program updates and additional information, visit empirestateplaza.ny.gov/nyking or follow @NYS_OGS on Facebook and X, formally known as Twitter.